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Friday, December 4, 2009

Key Democrats may be charged in Bonusgate

There's more news about the ongoing investigation into political corruption in Pennsylvania. According to the Pittsburgh-Post Gazette, two major figures in the House Democratic Caucus-- State Rep. Todd Eachus and State Rep. Bill DeWeese-- are apparently targets of the investigation and could face charges shortly. Both men were invited by letter to testify before the statewide grand jury early last week.

Such letters of invitation, unlike subpoenas, which are used to compel a grand jury appearance by witnesses, have been sent in the past to individuals thought to be targets of the jury. Such letters were sent to earlier defendants in the sprawling investigation that came to be known as Bonusgate.

This is a political bombshell. Until this point, the targets of the investigation have been out of power or otherwise marginalized. DeWeese and Eachus are key players in the legislature. However, if they wind up getting indicted, they will be removed from their leadership roles.

Should either Mr. Eachus or Mr. DeWeese face charges, House caucus rules require them to step down from leadership posts, setting the stage for a potential power struggle within the caucus and imperiling legislative business at a time the House is still attempting to finish the state's budget.

We will continue to monitor this story and bring you the latest developments.

Review city services on our sister site, City Howl.
Posted by Ben Waxman @ 11:22 AM  Permalink | 3 comments
Comments   
  • Comment removed.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:38 PM, 12/06/2009
    Why is Corbett being allowed to use the job he's repeatedly failed at to get the job he's not qualified for? It looks like this "Bonus Gate" affair and the pace of it's prosecution are being timed to help get Corbett free press for his election bid for Governor. We're paying for him and his staff to run for Governor...and then if he fails, he's still drawing a pay check, etc as a lame State's Attorney General! Why are we and our legislature letting him to get away with that? What about the Parole Board Corruption he's been told about, with evidence, for years now? What about the "Rendell Murders"? What about his repeated betrayal of public trust? Who investigates the Attorney General? Who does he answer to... by his own repeated lack of action... it's not the good, decent families of Pennsylvania! Why isn't the U.S. Attorney General (Eric Holder) investigating Tom Corbett!?
    — John Law
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:23 PM, 12/06/2009
    Why is Corbett being allowed to use the job he's repeatedly failed at to get the job he's not qualified for? It looks like this "Bonus Gate" affair and the pace of it's prosecution are being timed to help get Corbett free press for his election bid for Governor. We're paying for him and his staff to run for Governor...and then if he fails, he's still drawing a pay check, etc as a lame State's Attorney General! Why are we and our legislature letting him to get away with that? What about the Parole Board Corruption he's been told about, with evidence, for years now? What about the "Rendell Murders"? What about his repeated betrayal of public trust? Who investigates the Attorney General? Who does he answer to... by his own repeated lack of action... it's not the good, decent families of Pennsylvania! Why isn't the U.S. Attorney General (Eric Holder) investigating Tom Corbett!?
    — John Law


3 comments
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